Jess Whitehead
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Whatever is troubling you, I will meet you with genuine warmth, compassion and openness to your whole experience. I'm not here to 'fix' you or tell you what to do, but will explore whatever you need to bring as we work together to take steps towards the life you want to live. I am empathic and responsive in my approach.
Perhaps you're dealing with difficult relationships, are still troubled by past experiences, or feel unsure of your place in the world. I work with adults experiencing a range of difficulties, including relationship problems, anxiety, depression, trauma, or a general sense of being stuck.
How I work
Truly being understood and validated in therapy can be life changing. You can make sense of your history, understand how you have become the unique person you are, and choose how you manage life’s challenges.
We may explore how your early life experiences and relationships shaped you and still impact you. Perhaps you've found yourself changing your natural way of being to please others or to keep yourself safe.
We might notice what's happening in your body, since bodily sensations and movements can bring to light your subconscious feelings.
You will come to understand patterns of behaviour and relationships which may no longer be working so well for you, and gently explore new ways of being.
Your sessions
We'd meet for 50 minutes a week, face to face in a comfortable counselling room in Stroud, or online.
Once you contact me leaving your email and mobile number, I will always get back to you, so do check your spam/junk folder.
I offer an initial free 20 minute phone or Zoom call, to talk about what you'd like from therapy and see if you feel comfortable with me. If so, we'd find a time for an initial session.
Training, qualifications & experience
I'm experienced in supporting clients through a range of difficulties, but particularly relationship problems and family issues, depression, anxiety, life transitions and past or present traumatic experiences.
I'm a BACP-registered Integrative Counsellor, drawing on a range of psychotherapeutic styles (trauma-informed, humanistic, psychodynamic, and embodiment) to meet your particular needs. I'm committed to being anti-racist, welcoming diversity in all forms and respecting your unique identity.
Qualifications
I am currently undergoing further training in Embodied Relational Psychotherapy and I already hold the following qualifications:
- BACP-accredited Diploma in Integrative Counselling from the Minster Centre, a leading integrative therapy training institute (2020).
- Foundation in Integrative Counselling - Minster Centre (2017).
- BA (Hons) Sociology (2003).
- Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course - BPP Law School (2006)
My experience
Alongside my private practice, I'm a self-employed counsellor at The Listening Post in Stroud. I previously worked as a counsellor at Help Counselling and the Minster Centre’s Psychotherapy and Counselling Service in London, supporting clients with low cost counselling.
I have over a decade of previous career experience advocating for vulnerable people and those with mental health difficulties, with many years working in the charity sector and NHS before that. I personally understand the stress and fulfilment of high pressured work environments.
As a registered member of BACP, I adhere to its Ethical Framework and Professional Occupational Standards, including continuing my professional development and undertaking regular supervision and training.
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£55.00 per session
Additional information
A significant number of my clients benefit from concessionary rates. My concessionary spaces are currently full, but if you'd like to make contact and are facing financial difficulties, please let me know so we can discuss your options.
When I work
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I currently have very limited availability for new clients in the daytime, and my evening sessions are fully booked.
